Packaging
Not only are there innumerable products but they come in a great range of packages. Many products used to come in aerosol cans, containing a propellant gas, often chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which, although non-toxic and chemically inert, were proven to damage the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol set targets for reductions in CFC use and most aerosols now use ‘ozone-friendly’ propellants. But aerosol cans still contain a high proportion of packaging to contents and are not easy to recycle. Many products come in plastic containers which are light and durable and can be recycled in some areas, but otherwise are very slow to biodegrade. You may be able to buy refills, and buying concentrated products or in bulk also reduces the amount of packaging.